Volkswagen has made it clear that it has no involvement in the ongoing competition between shipbuilders from Korea and Germany to secure an order for 12 patrol submarines for the Canadian military, valued at 60 billion Canadian dollars ($43 billion). The carmaker specifically denied any cooperation with TKMS or any intent to help the German shipbuilder win the bid. “We want to clarify our position and prevent our investment in Canada’s battery plant from being misinterpreted as an attempt to help TKMS win the submarine contract,” Volkswagen’s German headquarters told The Korea Times Monday in an email sent via its local PR agency. “Volkswagen Group’s investment in the Ontario battery plant is an independent decision made as part of the group’s electrification strategy.” The statement came after it was revealed that Ottawa referenced Volkswagen’s planned investment when trying to persuade Seoul to have Hyundai Motor invest in Canada’s automotive industry in exchange for the massive submarine contract. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik confirmed earlier this mont